Manchester United are expected to be one of the busiest clubs in the upcoming transfer window as Jose Mourinho, whose only shot at silverware this season is the FA Cup, is desperate to add some quality to his first team for the next season.
This has seen them linked with some of the finest stars in Europe and the latest name doing the round is Colombian star, James Rodriguez.
United Back In For Rodriguez
A transfer target for the Red Devils even in the last summer transfer window, Rodriguez moved to Bayern Munich on a two-season deal with an option to sign him on a permanent basis at £37m. He has been in terrific form for the Bavarians but reports from Spain claim that Manchester United are convinced that he is the right man for their side.
The story claims that Chilean winger Alexis Sanchez and manager Jose Mourinho are in contact with the Real Madrid playmaker and are looking to lure him to England this summer. They will have to pay a significant amount to Real Madrid, to cut short his loan deal in Germany but is he worth the fuss?
Finding Form In Munich
Having made a name for himself in the previous World Cup, the 26-year old joined Real Madrid from As Monaco in 2014 but was not able to cement his place in the first team under three different managers, till Zinedine Zidane decided to offload him at the end of the previous season.
His most productive time at the club came in his debut season and a look at his stats shows that he has gradually failed to produce consistently in the first team. However, his move to Bayern Munich has seen him star in a playmaker’s role, which has turned him into one of the best players in this role in the Bundesliga this season.
He has four goals and seven assists in 14 starts for the German giants this season and though is not the first choice, seems settled at the club, playing a role in crunch games. He is versatile and can play on either flank and at 26, he is only going to get better. But is he the right man for the Red Devils?
Chances At Old Trafford
The promise of regular first team action can surely lure Rodriguez to Old Trafford but where does he fit in under Mourinho’s system? The former Real Madrid manager has used a 4-2-3-1 system but has found more success in a 4-3-3 system, mainly getting the best out of Paul Pogba in the latter structure.
With a three-man midfield behind, Rodriguez could play from the right flank, with Alexis Sanchez and Romelu Lukaku occupying the other three roles in the attack. But the 26-year old is at his best in a no.10 role, which might force United to use a 4-2-3-1 system, pushing Sanchez on to the left and using Rodriguez in a playmaker’s role.
He will have the support of Paul Pogba and Nemanja Matic behind him and though it reduces the balance in the side, improves its quality and can help the Red Devils beat the best sides in the world.
But is the right man for United?